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Politics
8:00 am
Sun March 18, 2012

Candidates' (Vocal) Pitch Plays Into Appeal

Originally published on Sun March 18, 2012 9:57 am

Transcript

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

So what does it take to win an election: A clear message, a strong organization, good hair? How about deep pipes?

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: It's my view that the administration's policies are actually designed on purpose to bring about higher gas prices.

MARTIN: That's Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell who has won a few elections in his day.

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Afghanistan
8:00 am
Sun March 18, 2012

Will Massacre In Kandahar Be A Policy Tipping Point?

Originally published on Sun March 18, 2012 9:57 am

Transcript

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Rachel Martin.

In Afghanistan, the massacre of 16 unarmed Afghan civilians, allegedly by a U.S. service member, is the latest in a string of events which may have shifted the dynamic between the Afghan people and the U.S.-led Army that's been occupying the country for a decade.

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Sports
8:00 am
Sun March 18, 2012

NCAA Madness Marches On

Credit Rick Bowmer / AP
Indiana forward Will Sheehey takes the game-winning shot against Virginia Commonwealth in the second half of an NCAA college basketball tournament third-round game in Portland, Ore., on Saturday. Indiana won 63-61.

The madness marches on. Sunday holds eight more games in the NCAA Division 1 men's basketball tournament. On Saturday, thankfully, there were no major rip-up-your-bracket upsets. That is, if your bracket was in still in one piece. But there was plenty of drama. Two of the most exciting games were at the sub-regional in Portland, Ore.

March Madness isn't just screaming crowds and grown men and women chanting things like the University of New Mexico's "Everyone's a Lobo, woof, woof, woof." In fact, sometimes there's drama in hushed silence.

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Religion
8:00 am
Sun March 18, 2012

Anglicans To Get New Spiritual Head

The resignation of the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, comes at a time of tension within the Anglican Church over issues related to homosexuality as well as women bishops. Vicki Barker has reaction to the news.

Author Interviews
8:00 am
Sun March 18, 2012

A 'Wild,' Solitary Journey On The Pacific Crest Trail

Transcript

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

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Author Interviews
8:00 am
Sun March 18, 2012

'The Moon': Children's Book Tackles Lifelong Themes

Host Rachel Martin speaks with author Natalie Babbitt about her new book, The Moon Over High Street. Babbitt is a celebrated writer of children's literature, including the classic, Tuck Everlasting. She's won the Newbery Honor Medal and five of her books have been ALA Notable Children's Books.

Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!
6:34 am
Sun March 18, 2012

'Mushing Mortician' Breathes Life Into Fallen Iditarod Sled Dog

Credit Mark Thiessen / AP
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race rookie Scott Janssen, known as the "Mushing Mortician," of Anchorage, Alaska, poses for a photo with one of his pet dogs.

From our "How To Do Everything" podcast:

Scott Janssen crossed the finish line of the Iditarod sled dog race on Friday afternoon, one dog short. He had hoped Marshall, who'd been with Janssen since he was a puppy, would be there.

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Europe
5:52 am
Sun March 18, 2012

After Spain's Construction Bust, Gardens Bloom

Spain is littered with vacant lots and half-built apartment complexes, where developers ran out of money when the construction bubble burst.

But in one Madrid barrio, neighbors are putting an abandoned tract of urban space to creative use.

Behind a chain link fence, in a dusty weed-filled lot between two soaring apartment blocks, Emilio de la Rosa is planting vegetables.

"Different types of products — garlic, beans, tomatoes, lettuce," he says. "We're teaching our children where tomatoes come from — not from the grocery store, but the ground."

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Music News
5:52 am
Sun March 18, 2012

Doo-Wop Dies Another Little Death As Store Closes

Credit Courtesy of the artists.
The Five Keys.

The style of music known as doo-wop had at least two heydays: Once in the 1950s and '60s, when the music was first recorded, and again during a revival in the '70s, thanks in part to nostalgic movies such as American Graffiti and Grease. But doo-wop is in a slump again, and one of its beacons in the northeast is about to close its doors after decades.

For some fans, nothing will ever replace the great vocal harmony groups.

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Economy
5:51 am
Sun March 18, 2012

Sweet Home: When Owning Isn't All About Money

Credit Ann Baxter / NPR
Tamika Rhodes and her children (clockwise) Taneea, Takeema and Paul at their home in St. Paul, Minn. Rhodes says the house is more important to her as a source of stability than as an investment.

It's not hard to figure out why the Rhodes family would want a house of their own. Their son Paul's passion for music makes it clear right away.

His mom, Tamika Rhodes, says in their last place, a two-bedroom apartment, Paul couldn't play the drums because it would have driven the neighbors crazy.

Now he, his two sisters, mom and dad live in a big, five-bedroom house in St. Paul, Minn. Rhodes says they all feel much more comfortable.

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